Historian Resume Example
Professional resume template and tips for Historian positions
Embarking on a career as a historian means becoming a detective of the human experience, meticulously uncovering and interpreting our collective past. This guide provides a clear overview of the historian role, detailing your daily tasks in research and analysis, the essential technical tools like GIS and archival databases you'll master, and the critical soft skills in communication and critical thinking required for success. We'll also explore key knowledge areas and offer practical tips for building a strong resume that showcases your expertise. Start crafting your application today to present your unique qualifications for this vital role in the science sector.
KELLY ROSS
Professional Summary
Historian with 8+ years in academic research and public history, specializing in archival analysis. Digitized and cataloged over 15,000 historical documents for a national museum, enhancing collection accessibility. Proficient in ESRI ArcGIS for spatial analysis, data organization, and preparing historically accurate publications.
Skills
Experience
- Directed a 3-year interdisciplinary research project using ESRI ArcGIS to map 19th-century trade routes, culminating in a publication cited by over 50 academic institutions
- Spearheaded the digital archiving initiative, migrating 10,000+ historical photographs to a SQL database, increasing archival access speed by 40% for researchers
- Authored and presented a critical analysis of archival methodologies at a national conference, influencing the adoption of new conservation standards across 5 state historical societies
- Led a team to analyze census records and court documents using complex problem solving, reconstructing demographic patterns for a city history exhibit visited by 15,000 people
- Managed the historical accuracy review for a museum exhibit catalog, utilizing Adobe Acrobat for collaborative editing and ensuring zero factual errors in the final 200-page publication
- Designed and implemented a SQL query system to cross-reference digitized diaries and news files, increasing research efficiency for the department by 30%
- Supported senior historians by actively listening to research directives and gathering preliminary data from periodicals and pamphlets for three concurrent conservation projects
- Utilized Microsoft Excel to organize and categorize 500+ archival photographs, creating a searchable database that accelerated exhibit preparation timelines
- Applied active learning strategies to master ESRI ArcGIS software, producing 5 thematic maps that visualized historical population data for a senior researcher's publication
Education
Certificates
- GIS Professional (GISP)
- Certified Archivist (CA)
- ESRI ArcGIS Desktop Associate
Build Your Historian Resume
Create a professional, ATS-optimized resume tailored for Historian positions in minutes.
What does a Historian do?
A Historian performs various tasks on a daily basis. Here are the core responsibilities you can expect in this role:
- Gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals.
- Organize data, and analyze and interpret its authenticity and relative significance.
- Prepare publications and exhibits, or review those prepared by others, to ensure their historical accuracy.
- Organize information for publication and for other means of dissemination, such as via storage media or the Internet.
- Conduct historical research as a basis for the identification, conservation, and reconstruction of historic places and materials.
What skills do you need as a Historian?
Employers hiring for Historian positions look for candidates with a strong combination of technical and soft skills. Here are the most important skills to highlight on your resume:
What knowledge areas are important for a Historian?
Beyond skills and tools, employers value candidates with deep knowledge in these areas. Consider highlighting relevant coursework, certifications, or experience:
How do I write a great Historian resume?
Creating an effective Historian resume requires focusing on what employers in the Science sector value most.
Use relevant keywords
ATS systems scan for specific terms. Include these keywords naturally throughout your resume:
Quantify your impact
When describing how you "gather historical data from sources such as archives, court records, diaries, news files, and photographs, as well as from books, pamphlets, and periodicals", include metrics like percentages, team sizes, budgets, or project scope to demonstrate real results.
Showcase technical proficiency
Highlight hands-on experience with ESRI ArcGIS software, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and any history and archeology certifications that validate your expertise.
Match the experience level
For Historian roles, employers typically expect usually requires a master's degree or higher. Highlight matching qualifications prominently at the top of your resume.
Example bullet points
Here are some strong bullet points you could adapt for your Historian resume:
- Directed a 3-year interdisciplinary research project using ESRI ArcGIS to map 19th-century trade routes, culminating in a publication cited by over 50 academic institutions
- Spearheaded the digital archiving initiative, migrating 10,000+ historical photographs to a SQL database, increasing archival access speed by 40% for researchers
- Authored and presented a critical analysis of archival methodologies at a national conference, influencing the adoption of new conservation standards across 5 state historical societies
How to use AI to improve your Historian resume
AI tools like ChatGPT can be incredibly helpful when crafting your Historian resume. They can help you brainstorm achievements, rephrase bullet points for impact, identify missing keywords, and tailor your content to specific job descriptions.
However, AI is not perfect. Always proofread the output carefully. AI can sometimes make factual errors, use generic language, or miss the nuances of your specific experience. Think of AI as a helpful assistant, not a replacement for your own judgment.
AI Resume Prompt
You are a senior recruiter with 15+ years of experience in technical hiring and resume optimization. You have reviewed thousands of resumes for Historian positions and know exactly what hiring managers and ATS systems look for.
Your task:
Analyze my resume for a Historian position and provide concrete, actionable feedback to maximize my chances.
Job description:
[paste the job description here]
Provide feedback on the following:
- Match analysis: Which requirements from the job description ARE and ARE NOT reflected in my resume?
- Quantification: Which bullet points lack concrete numbers/metrics? Provide examples of how I can rewrite them.
- Keywords: Which technical terms from the job description (such as ESRI ArcGIS software, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc.) are missing or could be more prominent?
- Impact statements: Rewrite my 3 weakest bullet points using the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
- ATS optimization: What adjustments will increase my score in Applicant Tracking Systems?
- Priorities: Give me a top-5 of changes that will make the biggest difference, ranked by impact.
Be direct and critical - I want honest feedback, not compliments.
Why use Mokaru instead? At Mokaru, we have invested extensive research into our AI prompts and continuously update them based on recruiter feedback and ATS testing. Our AI resume builder handles the complexity for you: optimizing for ATS systems, matching job descriptions, and ensuring professional formatting, so you can focus on landing interviews.
Genealogist Resume Example
Looking for a Genealogist resume instead? The skills and experience are very similar to a Historian. Here is an example you can use as inspiration:
NATHAN ALLEN
Summary
Historian with 8+ years in academic research and public history, specializing in archival analysis. Digitized and cataloged over 15,000 historical documents for a national museum, enhancing collection accessibility. Proficient in ESRI ArcGIS for spatial analysis, data organization, and preparing historically accurate publications.
Skills
Experience
- Directed a 3-year interdisciplinary research project using ESRI ArcGIS to map 19th-century trade routes, culminating in a publication cited by over 50 academic institutions
- Spearheaded the digital archiving initiative, migrating 10,000+ historical photographs to a SQL database, increasing archival access speed by 40% for researchers
- Authored and presented a critical analysis of archival methodologies at a national conference, influencing the adoption of new conservation standards across 5 state historical societies
- Led a team to analyze census records and court documents using complex problem solving, reconstructing demographic patterns for a city history exhibit visited by 15,000 people
- Managed the historical accuracy review for a museum exhibit catalog, utilizing Adobe Acrobat for collaborative editing and ensuring zero factual errors in the final 200-page publication
- Designed and implemented a SQL query system to cross-reference digitized diaries and news files, increasing research efficiency for the department by 30%
- Supported senior historians by actively listening to research directives and gathering preliminary data from periodicals and pamphlets for three concurrent conservation projects
- Utilized Microsoft Excel to organize and categorize 500+ archival photographs, creating a searchable database that accelerated exhibit preparation timelines
- Applied active learning strategies to master ESRI ArcGIS software, producing 5 thematic maps that visualized historical population data for a senior researcher's publication
Education
Certifications
- GIS Professional (GISP)
- Certified Archivist (CA)
- ESRI ArcGIS Desktop Associate
Build Your Genealogist Resume
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Frequently Asked Questions
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